Sunday, May 1

On April 1st, the American Quilter's Society published my very first book "Crafted Appliqué.... New Possibilities", and today marks the beginning of the official Blog Hop & Book Tour to celebrate! I've been working hard behind the scenes for some time now, so get ready for five weeks of fabulous festivities, packed with lots of exciting blog stops and fun giveaways.

Books, just waiting for Giveaway Winners!

The Crafted Appliqué.... New Possibilities Blog Hop will run from May 1st until June 5th. My goal was to create an absolutely amazing blog hop, as a way to make up for being unable to travel or teach to promote the book. We've been saving up for it for a whole year. Thirty wonderful blogging friends are participating and of course, I wish we could have asked even more.I'd like to invite all of you to take part by visiting the stops along the tour. (The schedule is at the end of this post.) Each day of the hop you'll find a terrific blogger who is reviewing Crafted Appliqué and giving away a copy of the book. You'll get to see some beautiful projects along the way and you will definitely have a chance to learn a whole lot more about Crafted Appliqué. Each week there will also be an exciting giveaway (or two) here on BuzzinBumble. I hope you each will come back often and join in the fun!

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Many, Many Thanks!

"Crafted Appliqué.... New Possibilities" set sail with great reviews and is beginning to be a real hit. Thank you so much to all of you who left such positive reviews on Amazon! You made me cry a few times and warmed my heart through and through. You've also helped launch the book with a huge cheer!Wednesday, after an incredible review from Betsey Langford in the AQS' OnPoint Newsletter, "Crafted Appliqué" raced to the fore in the sea of Amazon sales rankings. It had been bobbing happily along in the top 100 Quilting books, but that day it actually hit #2! For a brief and shining moment, there was even a ribbon below the book title that said #1 New Release in Sewing. Amazon was not prepared for this and sold out immediately. They now have the book on back order, but it is still doing reasonably well despite that. It was too hard to resist... I took screen shots, in case we don't ever see a spike like that again. :)

My son-in-law Gonzo is a real hoot! He says he wants to capitalize on our new found "fame" by getting our entire family to appear on Family Feud. :) LOL

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A Sneak Peek

Part of what you'll see during the tour are the projects from the book. I'll show you one of them below, but the first thing I'd like you to see is just how well the Crafted Appliqué method prevents fraying on raw edge, machine sewn appliqués. There is no need to turn under the edges or use a satin stitch. I used my 1956 Singer 301A Dorothy for every project in the book and she only sews a straight stitch. The Crafted Appliqué method is a much more forgiving way to appliqué! Go ahead - Click on the photo of the Daisy Hot Pad and blow it up as big as possible and examine the curvy edges of the daisy petals. They have little to no fraying and what makes it even better is that they look great after washing too!

Crafted Appliqué - Daisy Hot Pad

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Would you like to see the "Hello Mr. Ranger, Sir!" Pic-a-nic Bag, which is the project featured on the cover of the book? It's insulated and has a tuck-able lining to keep food either cold or warm. The design with the vintage Shasta trailer brings back happy memories for me of the trips we took with our friends and family when I was a kid. The scenery comes from a photo of the Grand Tetons.

"Hello Mr. Ranger, Sir!" Insulated Pic-a-nic Bag

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Giveaway Contest # 1

Now how about a chance to win the first Giveaway contest on the Hop? In keeping with the Pic-a-nic theme, we're giving away two Jolly Bars from the Fat Quarter Shop! The Jolly Bars each feature forty-two 5" x 10" cuts from "Vintage Picnic" by Bonnie and Camille. They even come with their own Clambake quilt pattern!

For a chance to win one of these adorable Jolly Bars, just leave a comment on this post. The giveaway is open to everyone. All of my blog followers, both new and old, can have a second chance to win by leaving a second comment letting me know how they follow BuzzinBumble. I'll select two winners, drawn by random number on June 4th. This giveaway is open until that day. Winners will be announced on June 5th. Don't forget to visit the Crafted Applique Blog Hop Stops for a chance to win a copy of my book too!

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Can't Wait?

What if you can't wait that long and would like your own copy of "Crafted Appliqué" now? There is no need to wait to see if you win one of the book giveaways. If you do win, but have already purchased the book, I will gladly reimburse the cost of the book instead. In the meantime, you can purchase a signed copy here on BuzzinBumble, or buy one from the AQS shop, or through Amazon.Below is the Blog Hop Schedule. All the blog titles are live links, which I will keep updating as participants post their reviews.

Usually, I make it a goal to reply to and reciprocate all comments. I really love it when you take the time to stop and chat. This month, with the Blog Hop and multiple giveaways in progress, I hope you will understand if I don't manage to keep up. You can click on the pup to leave a comment. Best of luck!

271 comments:

Going to be a super fun blog hop to celebrate the release of your AMAZING new book. I'm looking forward to it, as I want everyone to learn about this book and see how it has so much creativity and value.

Congratulations on a beautiful book! I can't wait to share my project later in May. I so love that the crafted technique doesn't fray and I keep thinking of new projects to play with. i look forward to following the blog hop!

Congratulations Lara! What an amazing accomplishment to get a book published, but if anyone could do it, it would be you! I love the idea of the blog hop and I am looking forward to visiting all the participating blogs.

What an awesome start to your book release, Lara! I can't wait to see all of the blogs along the way in your blog hop! 100 quilters were surveyed.... What did they say was their favorite new book ?! Crafted Applique' ... New Possibilities! Congratulations!!Susie

Your book looks fabulous! I love the look of applique, but no way would I do needle-turned, and satin stitching is so time consuming. I think I'm going to like your method! Congratulations on publishing your first book!

That daisy is amazing and has made me very curious about your method -- sounds like something I want to learn! Congratulations on the great start with your book sales, can't wait to see more on the hop!

What a fun busy blog hop! Love the book and such great projects in it. Congrats on the great sales of the book. Thanks for the chance to win some fabric and book ( but I have my own autographed copy...Hee, Hee!)

Oh Lara! This is all sew exciting!!! Do be sure to let us know when you make it onto Family Feud!!! I swore off appliqué after the first two (instructional class) quilts I made using it, mainly due to the fiddley nature of it. I don't relish hexies either, for the same reason....I must say, you have me so intrigued! I really look forward to a fun month of blog hopping...so many familiar friends lined up!! A super big congratulations on the early successes of your book release!

I've never participated in a blog hop. I'm excited about this one. Thanks for all the work it must have taken to organize, this method of applique looks very interesting - I might be able to start and finish some applique projects!!!

Congratulations on the success of your book. I am very intrigued by your book as I usually do some form of hand applique because of the fraying aspect of machine applique. Machine applique is much faster and offers more possibilities more easily so that means more projects done. This giveaway is wonderful. Thank you.

Congratulations, Lara! I preordered your book for my shop in St. Petersburg, FL on the recommendation of Julie of Pines and Needles Quilting - she told me about your book when she came to my shop grand opening back in January and relayed how amazed she was with your applique technique when she quilted your Walking Tree. When a longarm quilter the caliber of Julie is impressed I sit up and take notice :) Best wishes for your continued success!

I'll take your word on the question of the stitching securing the appliques. What I love is how the detailed stitching adds to the charm and depth of the appliques. Beautiful. And fun,too, I'd imagine, adding those lines to be decorative as well as functional.

At first I thought I wouldn't be able to do this kind of applique because I thought I'd need a zig zag machine. Now that I know I can use straight stitch, I'm very curious! This will really be a fun blog hop!

This all sounds so exciting Lara! Congratulations once again for your book and all the great reviews it's getting. I actually was telling my husband today that I want to purchase a copy myself. Now that I've read about the giveaways, I might wait till after the blog hop though ;) Amazing that the book has sold out and is on back order now. Wow!! Have a wonderful time with the hop!Wendy xox

Yes congrats my friend!! I too am looking forward to following the blog hop and sharing my little project later this month!! A merry month of May for sure! Do enjoy! (PS I posted a link on my sidebar to this hop...hope it brings a few new readers your way.) :)V

Yes congrats my friend!! I too am looking forward to following the blog hop and sharing my little project later this month!! A merry month of May for sure! Do enjoy! (PS I posted a link on my sidebar to this hop...hope it brings a few new readers your way.) :)V

Wow! This is the first blog I have every joined and can't believe how many comments on May 1st. I just signed up via email and ordered your book immediately. Darn - I have 3 blocks for a new Christmas applique quilt put together before I know how to do your method. Hopefully I can mix and match the next blocks using this new method. Can't wait. Have a blessed day everyone - - Susi

Congratulations, Lara! It looks like you have a fantastic Blog Hop planned. Love the Hello Ranger Sir picnic tote. I volunteer in a State Park in Vermont all summer and we see quite a few Shasta and other teardrop trailers. Thanks for the chance to see the projects in your book through this blog hop.

SO utterly tickled for you Lara! Family Feud...snort! I wish you loads and loads of sales, and here's to book #2, right?! Love this method, you were right! It's exciting that it is finally released and that the hop is ON, baby!

I remember when you announced that you were writing a book. I could not have imagined back then what you had in the works. I'm excited to get my hands on a copy of this, Lara! All the best to you -- congratulations! (P.S. I follow on Bloglovin'.)

Congrats on your book - very intrigued! I have a Singer 401 and have not been pleased with straight stitch applique and all the little corners and points that don't seem to stay down. basaran.family@rogers.com

Honestly, the bundle would be nice, but I'd LOVE (I'd be thrilled to bits) to win the book, please. Oh, and if I do win, will you please autograph the book for me? Wishing you success and accolades galore!!!Hugs,Preeti.http://sewpreetiquilts.blogspot.com

You had me at "There is no need to turn under the edges or use a satin stitch". And no, I don't think I can wait to see if I win a copy. I'll be reaching out to make a purchase for my very own signed copy and if I should be so lucky as to win one then I will give it to my friend.

I'm not sure which I'm more chuffed about - the divine wagging tail of your 'comment' dog, or the fantastic caravan on the book!I suckered and IN lol and following you and the blog tour ( by email) here on in!This book is jumping to the top of my wish list.Ive never owned a caravan but would dearly love one - but a fabric one is the most likely in my life now lol